What will the Government do about section 39 workers, who have been left behind for so long, regarding pay parity and conditions? They are about to strike shortly. They are calling for industrial action and I feel they have no choice but to do that because they have been promised for so long. These section 39 workers do Trojan work in Kerry around people with disabilities and all the other little problems they have. They do the very same work as section 38 workers but are not paid the same. It is not fair that two sections do the same work but one is paid less. These workers have been promised parity for so long. When will the Government honour the promise made here between 2016 and 2019?

I thank the Deputy. The Government recognises the essential work carried out by community and voluntary health and social care organisations and their staff and the reliance of the State on these organisations to deliver important supports and services in the communities we represent. The programme for Government commits to working with the voluntary sector through industrial relations mechanisms and other processes to progress pay issues affecting the delivery of disability services and the long-term viability of organisations within the sector.

Relevant Departments have proactively engaged with unions and employers on pay funding in a process facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC. Talks at the WRC were adjourned around the time of the general election. Ministers in relevant Departments are seeking an early opportunity to restart engagement with unions and employers through the WRC to provide certainty to the sector as soon as possible.